Receptacle with detachable unit



Oct. 26, 1965 L. H. LEWIS RECEPTACLE WITH DETACHABLE UNIT Filed Dec. 12, 1962 W./'70 INVENTOR L\NFORD H. LEWS ATTORNEY Z l l United States Patent C 3,214,090 RECEPTACLE WITH DETAGHABLE UNIT Linford H. Lewis, 3408Ashville St., Philadelphia, Pa. Filed Dec. 12, 1962,.Ser. No. 244,198 3 Claims. (Cl. 232-432) The invention relates to a receptacle apparatus, and more particularly to an apparatus providing means for receiving refuse, as well as a separate small detachable receptacle unit for receiving. cigarettes and ashes.

The invention provides means whereby a separate removable unit for receiving cigarettes and ashes is combined with a receptacle means for receiving-refuse. The separate unit is provided with means-for locking same in position with the receptacle means so that same may not be removed except by authorized personnel. The receptacle means, which provides for both refuse and cigarettes and ashes, is of increased utility and conserves space by not requiring separate installation andutilizing only the space required by a container provided. for receiving only refuse.

The principal object of the invention, therefore, is to provide a new and improved receptacle means having means for receiving refuse and a separate unit for receiving cigarettes and ashes.

Another object of the invention is to provide. a. new and improved receptacle means which provides a separate unit for receiving cigarettes and ashes which may easily be detached and emptied by authorized personnel.

Another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved receptacle means which automatically locks in position the receptacle unit for receiving cigarettes and ashes with the door of the receptacle means when the door is in its closed position.

Another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved receptacle means providing for receipt of refuse and a separate unit for receipt' of cigarettes and ashes, allowing the refuse to be removed by authorized personnel without requiring the emptying of the unit containing cigarettes and ashes.

Another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved receptacle means which allows the separate emptying of refuse from its container-and cigarettes and ashes from the separate receptacle unit provided therefor.

Another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved receptacle means which allows the container receiving refuse and a receptacle unit for receiving cigarettes and ashes to be locked respectively within and with the receptacle means by locking the door of the receptacle means.

Another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved receptacle means which is of high utility providing an attractive appearance and one which may readily be manufactured at low cost.

The above objects, as well as many other objects of the invention, are achieved by providing areceptacle means comprising a body providing a chamber therein for receiving a refuse container, a door secured with said body having open and closed positions for providing access to the chamber of said body, and a receptacle unit receiving cigarettes and ashes detachably engaging said door when the door is in its open position and locked. in position with said door when said door is in. its closedposition.

3,214,090 Patented Oct. 26, 1965 The door which is hinged with the body is provided. with a recess at its top for receiving and positioning the. receptacle unit on the door.. The receptacle unit has a receptacle portion. providing a. cavity for receiving cigarettes and ashes and is. positionable proximate the outer surface of 'the door, and has a retaining portion position? able proximate the inside surface of the.door. with a top horizontal. element connected. to the receptacle portion. and extending. through the recess at the top-of the door. The retainingportion of the receptacle unit. extends vertically downward and has a substantially horizontal foot at its lower end. The. bottom floor member hasa front ledge portion proximate the lower edge of the door which is provided with. a recess for receiving the-lower end of the retaining portion of. the: receptacle unit when. the door is in its. closed position- When the door is closed, the foot of the retaining portion. is also received. under the floor member of said body for locking the unit in position with the door.

The top of the body is provided with. means'for receiving. material therethroughto be deposited: in the container. within the chamber of the body.. Thismay comprise. inwardly inclined ledges at the top. of the unithaving edges defining an opening, or in. another form, may. comprise a hinged panel or door. at the top of the body. through which material maybe deposited into the container with in the chamber of the body.

Thus, when the. door is open, the container within the chamber may be removed and the refuse therein disposed of. The receptacle unit with. its foot out ofengagement with the floor member of the. body may also be removed' from the door in the vertically upward direction for emptying the cigarettes and ashes therefrom, and thereafter replaced. on thedoor by downward movement in the vertical direction.

The foregoing, as Well as other advantages. of the invention, will become more apparent as the following detailed description of the inventionisread in conjunction with the drawings, in which:;

FIGURE 1. is a perspective view of thereceptacle; means embodying the invention;

FIGURE 2 is a view similar to FIGURE 1 showing the receptacle means with its door in the open position,

FIGURE 3 is a perspective view with a portion broken away of the door of the receptacle means with. the receptacleunit removed,

FIGURE 4 is a sectional view taken on line 4-4 of; FIGURE 1-,

FIGURE 5 is aperspectiveviewof the receptacleunit of said receptacle means, and.

FIGURE 6 is a side elevational view of a modified form of receptacle means embodying the invention.

Like reference numerals designate like parts throughout the several views.

Refer to FIGURES 1 through 5 which disclose a receptacle means 10 embodying the invention.

The receptacle means 10 comprises a body'12 having vertical side wall panels 14 and 16* and a backrpanel 18- which are of substantially rectangular form; Verticalv front ledges 20, 22 and front top 3.1'1d'.b0tt0l11 ledges 24, 26 provide an opening 27 which is enclosed by a door 28. The door 28 is secured by: hinges 30=with the ledge 20. The body 12 has abottom floor memberilzwhich is secured at the bottom of thepanels 14, 16 and 18 and is folded to provide the front bottom ledge26'. The bot-- tom floor member 32 is supported at its corners by the short leg elements 34 elevating the floor member 32 above the surface on which the receptacle means is supported.

The top portion 36 of the receptacle means is provided with four inwardly inclined ledges 38 extending from the panels 14, 16 and 18 and the top ledge 24. The ledges 38 have inner edges 40 defining an opening 42 communicating with the chamber 44 within the body 10.

The chamber 44 is adapted to receive therein through the door opening 27 a container 46 of a substantially rectangular upwardly tapered form. Handles 48 may be provided for easily removing and replacing the container 46. The top 49 of the container 46 is positioned under the opening 42 of the body 12 for receiving refuse which is deposited therethrough.

A cigarette and ash receptacle unit 50 comprises a receptacle 52 having a cavity therein for receiving cigarettes and ashes through the openings 54 in its top plate 56. The top plate 56 is received within grooves along the side edges 58, 60 of the receptacle 52, allowing the plate 56 to be slidably removed for disposing of the cigarettes and ashes which may be collected within the receptacle 52. The receptacle 52 is secured with the horizontal end 62 of the retaining portion 64 of the unit 50. The retaining portion 64 may be formed from the fiat bar which provides a vertically downward extending portion 66 attached with the horizontal end 62 and having a substantially horizontal foot 68 at its lower end 70.

The door 28 is adapted to receive and retain the receptacle unit 50. As seen in FIGURE 3, the door 28 may be provided with edges 72 formed from the vertical front panel 74 by being bent back and inwardly to form a reinforced edge. The middle of the top portion 76 of the door 28 is provided with a recessed or cut-out section 78 for receiving therethrough the horizontal end 62 of the retaining portion of the receptacle unit 50.

In order to position the receptacle unit 50 on the door 28, as shown in FIGURE 2, the door is placed in its open position. The receptacle unit 50 is then moved downwardly over the door so that the receptacle 52 is positioned at the top of the door proximate the outside surface of the door 28, while the horizontal end 62 passes through the recessed portion 78 of the door 28 and the extending portion 66 is positioned along the inside surface 80 of the door 28. The middle of the bottom ledge 26 is also provided with a cut-out or recessed portion 82 for receiving therein :a portion of the lower end 70 of the retaining portion 64 of the receptacle unit 50 whenthe door 28 is in its closed position, as shown in FIGURE 1. With the door in its closed position, the extending foot 68 is positioned under the ledge 26 and the door member 32, preventing the upward movement of the receptacle unit 52 and its removal from its position on the door 28. Thus, when the door 28 is closed and locked in its closed position by the locking means 84, both the container 46 is locked within the chamber of the body 12 and the receptacle unit is locked in position with the door 28 and body 12 of the receptacle means 10. The location of the cut-out or recessed portions 78 and 82 respectively of the door 28 and ledge 26 also serve to position the receptacle 52 in a centered location along the top edge 76 of the door, while also prevent-ing any movement or rotation of the container 52 due to the additional engagement by the lower portion 70 and foot 68 of the receptacle unit 50 with the body 12.

It is also noted that since the top plate 56 can be removed only by sliding in'the direction towards the front surface of the door, the top plate 56 cannot be removed when the container unit 50 is positioned on the door 28. Thus, when the door 28 is in its closed and locked position, the receptacle unit 50 cannot be removed from the means 10, nor may the top plate 56 be removed from the receptacle 52. The openings 54 in the top plate 56 are of sufiicient size to receive cigarettes, cigars and ashes, but are small enough to prevent the removal therethrough of the contents of the receptacle 52 either intentionally or accidentally.

Since the unit 50 is supported by a door 28, it moves with the door away from the door opening 27, allowing the removal of the container 46 and the emptying of same independently of the removal or emptying of the receptacle unit 50. Likewise, when the door 28 is open, the receptacle 52 may be removed therefrom for emptying and replacement independent of the removal or emptying of the container 46.

FIGURE 6 is a side elevational view of a receptacle means 86 which is identical with the means 10, except that its top portion 88 is enclosed by a door 90 which is hinged at its top edge '92. When pushed inwardly, the door 90 provides an opening through which material may be deposited for receipt by the container 46 within the chamber of the body 12.

The receptacle means 10 and 86 described herein, thus, provide for a container 46 to receive refuse, as well as a receptacle unit 50 for receipt of cigarettes and ashes, thereby providing a more complete unit for use at selected locations outside or within buildings. Since such units may be located in public places, they have the advantage of also providing .a tamper-proof structure which allows the ready and efficient removal of rubbish and cigarettes and ashes only by authorized personnel.

While the invention has been described and illustrated with reference to several specific embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is capable of various additional modifications and applications, not departing essentially from the spirit thereof, which will become ap parent to those skilled in the art.

What is claimed is:

1. A receptacle means comprising a body providing a chamber therein for receiving refuse; a door secured with said body having open and closed posit-ions for providing access to the chamber of said body, said door being provided with a recess at its top for receiving and positioning a cigarette and ash receptacle unit on said door; and a cigarette and receptacle unit having a top for receiving cigarettes and ashes therethrough and detachably engaging said door when said door is in its open position and locked in position with said door 'for receiving cigarettes and ashes when said door is in its closed position; said unit having a receptacle portion positionable proximate the outer surface of said door, a retaining portion positionable proximate the inside surface of said door and having a top horizontal element connected with the receptacle portion and extending thru the recess at the top of said door when said unit is received by said door, and a plate at its top slidably retained therein and being removable therefrom only when said unit is detached from said door; the retaining portion of said unit extending vertically downward and having a substantially horizontal foot at its lower end for engaging said body when said door is in its closed position for locking said unit in position with said door.

2. The means of claim 1 in which said body is provided with a bottom floor member with a front ledge portion proximate the lower edge of said door when said door is in its closed position, said front ledge being provided with a recess for receiving therein a lower portion of the retaming portion of said receptacle unit proximate its foot with its foot being received under the floor member of said body when said door is in its closed position for locking said unit in position with said door.

3. A cigarette and ash receptacle unit for being supported by the door of a receptacle means comprising a receptacle portion positionable proximate the outer surface of the door of the receptacle means, and a retaining portion secured with said receptacle portion and positionable proximate the inside surface of said door; the retaining portion of said unit comprising a flat elongated bar with a first element extending vertically downward and 5 6 having a substantially horizontal foot at its lower end in and removable therefrom when said unit is detached for engaging said receptacle means when its door is closed from said door. for locking the unit in position with said door, and a second top horizontal element connecting with the recep- References cued by the Examme' tacle portion; said unit being removed or placed in en- 5 UNITED STATES PATENTS gagement with the door of said receptacle means by move- 2,125,122 7 B8 Mongieno 232 432 ment in the vertical direction with said door in its open 2,273,580 2/42 Kruschwitz 232 43'5 position; the receptacle portion of said unit being provided 570 9 0 10/51 clough with a cavity for receiving therein cigarettes, cigars and ashes, and having at its top a plate slidably retained there- 19 FRANK B. SHERRY, Primary Examiner. 

1. A RECEPTACLE MEANS COMPRISING A BODY PROVIDING A CHAMBER THEREIN FOR RECEIVING REFUSE; A DOOR SECURED WITH SAID BODY HAVING OPEN AND CLOSED POSITIONS FOR PROVIDING ACCESS TO THE CHAMBER OF SAID BODY, SAID DOOR BEING PROVIDED WITH A RECESS AT ITS TOP FOR RECEIVING AND POSITIONING A CIGARETTE AND ASH RECEPTACLE UNIT ON SAID DOOR; AND A CIGARETTE AND RECEPTACLE UNIT HAVING A TOP FOR RECEIVING CIGARETTS AND ASHES THERETHROUGH AND DETACHABLY ENGAGING SAID DOOR WHEN SAID DOOR IS IN ITS OPEN POSITION AND LOCKED IN POSITION WITH SAID DOOR FOR RECEIVING CIGARETTES AND ASHES WHEN SAID DOOR IS IN ITS CLOSED POSITION; SAID UNIT HAVING A RECEPTACLE PORTION POSITIONABLE PROXIMATE THE OUTER SURFACE OF SAID DOOR, A RETAINING PORTION POSITIONABLE PROXIMATE THE INSIDE SURFACE OF SAID DOOR AND HAVING A TOP HORIZONTAL ELEMENT CONNECTED WITH THE RECEPTACLE PORTION AND EXTENDING THRU THE RECESS AT THE TOP OF SAID DOOR WHEN SAID UNIT IS RECEIVED BY SAID DOOR, AND A PLATE AT ITS TOP SLIDABLY RETAINED THEREIN AND BEING REMOVABLE THEREFROM ONLY WHEN SAID UNIT IS DETACHED FROM SAID FOOR; THE RETAINING PORTION OF SAID UNIT EXTENDING VERTICALLY DOWNWARD AND HAVING A SUBSTANTIALLY HORIZONTAL FOOT AT ITS LOWER END FOR ENGAGING SAID BODY WHEN SAID DOOR IS IN ITS CLOSED POSITION FOR LOCKING SAID UNIT IN POSITION WITH SAID DOOR. 